Review: Injustice 2 Raises the Bar

Every Battle Defines You

What if Superman wasn’t the hero we all thought he was? What if he used his powers for himself instead of protecting others? These are a few of the ‘what if’ questions that NetherRealm’s Injustice: Gods Among Us & Injustice 2flesh out in the lifespan of the Injustice series.

Greatly surpassing it’s predecessor, Injustice 2sets new standards for fighting games in terms of customization, superb graphics and unique gameplay. While it mimics the fighting style of NetherRealm’s other fighting game, Mortal Kombat X, Injustice 2also throws in a few of its own unique elements. One of the most controversial of these differences is the lack of an auto-block button. Players can defend by crouching to block attacks aimed low, or by moving backwards to avoid mid-level or overhead attacks.

Injustice 2 also came with an incredibly unique gear system for its genre, applying an RNG element seen in many RPGs, but in few (if any) fighting games. By fighting online or doing unique ‘Multiverses,’ you can unlock new gear which can increase the stats of your characters, change their appearance, and even provide unique effects when performing certain moves.

With nearly 30 characters, not including the DLC, there’s always something new to do in Injustice 2, especially with the introduction of the aforementioned Multiverse game mode. Multiverse mode consists of several ‘planets’ that are available for a limited time. Each planet has one or more ‘towers’ that consist of waves of characters to fight. The rewards for beating these towers vary from special gear, unlockable abilities and character material shaders to change their appearance further.

What really makes the game interesting is how NetherRealm has listened to their fanbase. There was a massive outcry for characters like Vixen and Mr. Freeze to be added as DLC, and while that didn’t quite fit with their original plans, NetherRealm was quick to include both of them as ‘premiere skins’ for existing characters, giving the players at least a little bit of what they wanted.

Long before the game’s release, NetherRealm director Ed Boon hosted a series of polls to get fan feedback on DLC. These polls had winners like Starfire, Red Hood and Sub Zero being the most requested by the fans, and almost a week before the game’s launch, those three characters were announced as being a part of the first wave of DLC packs, showing the creators’ dedication to the desires of the fanbase.

The development team also states that Injustice 2 will be worked on longer than any previous NetherRealm title. They’ve already proven it by lining up a DLC release schedule that will trail into 2018, despite the game’s initial launch this past May. Details on what will come after the final fighter pack’s release in unclear, but fans have speculated on an increased priority for additional premiere skins, gear and DLC arenas.

Aside from all the internal additions to the game, NetherRealm Studios has also partnered with other corporations to host a myriad of tournaments like Combo Breaker to determine the best of the best.

Injustice 2 has raised the bar for games in its genre, making it difficult for games like Marvel vs. Capcom and Tekken to compete. NetherRealm promises great things, and with the DLC they’ve released so far (Red Hood and Sub Zero,) they continue to deliver.

Injustice 2 is available in stores and online for both PS4 and Xbox One. A PC version of the game has not yet been released.

What do you think?

Levi Linn is a staff writer for POParazzi who enjoys correcting people who mispronounce "Ciara." He is a Strategic Communications major at West Virginia University - Potomac State. You can e-mail him at levi@poparazzi.org

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